How To Look Super Sharp In A Suit

Want To Look Super Sharp In A Suit? Follow These Celeb-Approved Tips

From Jennifer Lawrence’s quirky moments to the #OscarsSoWhite issue, the Oscars are an occasion to discuss topics beyond cinematic achievements. Red carpet style is one of them. And as celebrity style features start popping up in your newsfeed, you might be wondering what makes the best-dressed men stand out in a sea of black tuxedos. How does an actor like Leonardo DiCaprio always look so sharp?

Achieving that "wow factor" comes down to nailing the perfect fit — and paying attention to those small details that make all the difference but won't get noticed by the untrained eye. And even if you think your odds of walking a red carpet (or just attending any formal event) in the near future are low, you can take style cues from celebrities and look impeccable in everyday life without spending thousands of dollars.

"Wearing clothes that fit you well is always the first step to looking good," says Hameed Hussain, co-founder of ShayQ, an L.A.-based bespoke suit company that caters to a younger, edgier clientele. Sounds simple, but it's not. Hussain says that a lot of men unknowingly purchase suits in the wrong size. Additionally, off-the-rack suits tend to fit tall and slender guys but won't work on men with broader shoulders or shorter builds.

So, are you ready to buy a bespoke suit ? The investment is worth it — and necessary if you want to truly look sharp: A slim silhouette without excess fabric is the key to a flawless look.

The following tips will help you purchase a versatile, high-quality bespoke suit that you will want to wear over and over — and help you pull it off.

Know the perfect fit

The reason a lot of men purchase suits in the wrong size can be tied to an old-school practice. Traditionally, tailors would measure the shoulders at a wider area than necessary — a habit that stuck with time. "A man’s suit size is usually a size lower than what he [is used] to purchasing," says Hussain. "A lot of guys are misguided in the sense that the suit needs to be comfortable. While a suit shouldn’t be entirely uncomfortable, it’s kind of like heels for a woman. You have to pay a certain price in order to look a certain way."

Become friends with your tailor

ShayQ

You can bet Hollywood actors have close ties with their favorite stylists and designers. When the awards season rolls around, they turn to the people they trust to make them look good on the red carpet.

"The idea of sitting down with somebody and designing a suit and getting measured is something that you do with a buddy. You go into this lounge and develop a relationship with your tailor," says Hussain. When it comes to pulling off a suit, your tailor is your ally. He will guide you towards the best choices for you. "[Buying a bespoke suit] can get overwhelming at times. You have to pick your fabric, the kind of buttons, how many buttons you want, the lapel width, etc."

Pick your fabric carefully

Have you ever heard of fancy sheets having a higher thread count? The same applies to suits. A suit made with Super 180s fabric (the unit of measure for thread count — the higher the number, the more expensive) is like the Ferrari of suits.

ShayQ uses fabrics that are around Super 120s/130s — just fine enough to keep the suits affordable without compromising on quality. The fabric must feel soft to the touch (never stiff) and drape your body. Fabric weight is also important: You want to stick to lighter materials such as linen or lightweight wool in the warmer months, and wool and cashmere blends in the colder months. Sweating buckets in your suit is the last thing you want.

When you are browsing fabric books, Hussain recommends that you follow your gut and choose the fabric that initially stands out to you — having to pick between hundreds of samples can get stressful and confusing.

Pay attention to the details

Your tailor will discuss the ideal lapel type and width with you. If you have a stockier build, going for a medium lapel width will help you streamline your silhouette and avoid looking ridiculous.

Even though you might have never paid much attention to them, buttons can make a big difference. For example, Hussain says that dark brown buttons on a gray suit (which would usually come with black buttons) can make the suit more versatile: The buttons will look brown in bright lighting and black in low lighting — which means you can pair the suit with a variety of accessories. "If you are looking to set your suit apart, it can come down to those little design cues."

Don’t mess everything up with your shirt

Don't make the mistake of finally getting your hands on a perfect suit that hugs your body in all the right places and then pairing it with an ill-fitting shirt. "If you have a very well-tailored suit, you also need a very well-tailored shirt. Cause if your shirt is not tailored like your suit, it’s going to be baggy and out of place'" says Hussain. "Excess fabric is excess fabric."

Study your own style

"We see things that we like and they resonate with us but sometimes we don’t take the time to think about why they resonate with us," says Hussain. Follow menswear influencers on Instagram — Hussain's favorites include Adam Gallagher and Blake Scott — and take note of what appeals to you. Try to decipher what it is that makes you attracted to a certain look. This will help you develop your own sense of style and you'll end up getting more adventurous with your outfits while staying true to yourself.

Build your foundation without being basic

The idea of building the foundation of your wardrobe with classic, essential pieces still exists. Yes, you should probably own a navy blue suit. But just because it's navy blue doesn't mean it has to be generic. Hussain says you can go with a lighter navy blue or choose a fabric with some texture that will give your suit a little bit more edge.

Once you have your staples (solid blue and charcoal are a good start), you can start having fun with patterns. A windowpane pattern is a good bet.